We have to give it to Isioma Osaje 2.0. Or is it 3.0? This young woman has already been through so many career incarnations that you’d forgive us for losing count of some. From Liaision for the Headies to Assistant Editor for Hip Hop World Magazine to an extended stint in PR. Let’s not also forget her time as a radio presenter with Silverbird entertainment, and then her work in Nollywood production, all of which she did while studying for, and completing a degree in medicine.

But something interesting has happened in the past 2 years. ‘Jazz’ (as she’s apparently called by many) has been incredibly focused on building a particularly unique platform in the Nigerian entertainment industry. She’s built, and is still building, a respectable talent management agency. But where similar attempts by others involve grabbing as many people as possible to call as clients, Isioma’s Agency 106 appears to have a more narrow focus – Nollywood. Not to say this was always the state of affairs, she did once count Niyola as a client, after all. But she’s recently sharpened her focus to focus mainly on the film industry.

It’s a beautiful thing to witness, as it appears to be the coalescence of all of her talents and experience. What’s more noteworthy is also how semi-quietly she’s been building this brand. We say “semi” because she never hesitates to make noise when it comes to her clients. If nothing else, she knows how to carry her clients’ matters on her head. We can’t forget her hustling for votes for Blossom Chukwujekwu on Twitter. Oh, and he went on to win, too. Same goes for Adesua Etomi. We may never know for sure how much her efforts aided their wins, but here’s the thing: she found them before they were winners. Not to say they were unknown before, but an AMVCA win is the sort of thing that catapults actors into a stratosphere of fame, which then leads to management coming calling. Finding, and getting these people under her umbrella before their wins says a lot about this young woman’s vision.

As if that wasn’t enough, she went to get Linda Ejiofor (another AMVCA winner,) Ireti Doyle (Ireti Doyle) as well as Deyemi Okanlawon (one of the most prolific young actors working today) and Theresa Edem (who just sizzled on Tinsel and Hotel Majestic) on her roster as well. That’s a formidable collection of talent for someone who is really only getting started.

And she isn’t slowing down, either. Her company’s website says her repertoire now includes consultancy for line production, production management, and film marketing.

What a wow.

Media Blogger